NFL Mock Draft 2016: Taking a swing in Los Angeles

<p>Doug Pederson would love to get his hands on a running back in the Jamaal Charles mold from his days in Kansas City, and Ezekiel Elliott just might be that player. I would push back on the idea that Elliott and Charles are terribly similar players, but Elliott does <em>everything</em> well as a running back prospect, including catching the ball out of the backfield and blocking at a high level, and that makes him the complete player that is almost worthy of a top-ten investment.</p> <p>Normally, I subscribe to the sentiment of avoiding first-round running backs nearly at all costs, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that Elliott will be picked within the first half of the first round. Philadelphia does have other needs, but with Sam Bradford limiting the team’s offensive upside at quarterback, this would be a highly reasonable gamble for the Eagles in pairing Elliott with Ryan Mathews to form a dynamic rushing duo.</p> <p>It certainly helps that Ezekiel Elliott is seen as the top available player on McShay’s big board right now, but even if he wasn’t that guy, the former Ohio State star makes a ton of sense in Philadelphia. We’re just trying to help Sam Bradford.</p>. RB. Ohio State. Ezekiel Elliott. 8. player. 54